To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4382) to urge our federal, state, and local governments, along with churches and neighborhood associations, to accelerate their efforts to assist the homeless in light, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JOHN L. SCOTT, JR. for Committee.

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

$0 (No additional expenditures or savings are expected)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

There is no cost to the General Fund of the State with the adoption of this resolution.

Approved By:

Brenda Hart

Office of State Budget

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO URGE OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, ALONG WITH CHURCHES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, TO ACCELERATE THEIR EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE HOMELESS IN LIGHT OF THE NATION'S ECONOMY AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Whereas, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty approximates that, annually, more than three million people experience homelessness in the United States, including approximately 1.3 million children. Although homelessness is difficult to measure definitively, it appears that more people, especially families, are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, and taking up residence in tent communities; and

Whereas, the present cold winter weather only exacerbates the problems of the homeless, threatening the lives of many; and

Whereas, in South Carolina alone, almost five thousand people are homeless on any given night, of whom approximately 543 are veterans and 388 are chronically homeless. However, estimates put the total number of beds available in homeless shelters across the State at only two thousand one hundred; and

Whereas, it is critical for us as compassionate Americans and South Carolinians to work toward increased emergency relief, as well as toward the elimination of causes, for those suffering from the serious problem of homelessness. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, urge our federal, state, and local governments, along with churches and neighborhood associations, to accelerate their efforts to assist the homeless in light of the nation's economy and adverse weather conditions.